OVERLAND PARK, Kansas, Jan. 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black & Veatch has partnered with Envision America. The company will apply its engineering, construction, program management and data analytics expertise to help selected U.S. cities develop and deploy smart city programs. Envision America is a program announced by the White House to advance smart city program planning and implementation.

“U.S. cities are reimagining the way their energy, water, telecom and transportation systems fit together," said Fred Ellermeier, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Black & Veatch’s Smart Integrated Infrastructure practice. “Black & Veatch will apply expertise as cities, and the utilities that serve them, create plans to build and operate these critical infrastructure systems in a more intelligent way.”

Black & Veatch is the only Envision America partner to combine engineering and construction services with smart technology and data analytics expertise. This unique perspective allows the company to look at individual technologies and programs and see how they connect. Black & Veatch then acts as an integrator; working with diverse sets of partner organizations and companies to drive holistic programs that meet smart city goals.

Envision America encourages cities to use technology to address energy, water, waste, air, transportation and other challenges. Envision America selected ten cities during a competitive process. They will convene in Charlotte, NC this week for the Envision America smart city workshop. There, Black & Veatch will partner with them during hands-on working sessions.

Black & Veatch is investing in the future of smart cities. It is a member of Cleantech San Diego and the Smart Cities Council and is a regional sponsor of Cleantech Open. The Cleantech Open supports entrepreneurs who use clean technology to address energy, environmental and economic challenges. Black & Veatch is also participating in the development of ISO 37120:2014. It is the first standard to steer and measure the performance of city services and quality of life.

The Envision America workshop, hosted by Envision Charlotte, will take place on January 12th-14th, 2016 at UNCC Uptown 320 E. Ninth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Selected cities will join Envision America, a national initiative, in a year-long process where experts will partner with them to help define projects, identify technology needs, help with budgeting, and to create a year-long plan with hopes of implementation.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2014 were US$3 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.